DAB leader Tsang Yok-sing has forecast a turbulent year, with Anson Chan Fang On-sang probably replaced by Donald Tsang Yam-kuen as top aide to Tung Chee-hwa.
Mrs Chan reaches the retirement age of 60 this year.
On RTHK's Letter to Hong Kong yesterday, Mr Tsang, leader of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, said Donald Tsang stood a better chance of succeeding Mrs Chan if his coming Budget was popular.
'The political skills demonstrated by the Financial Secretary in drumming support for his Budget in a very difficult year will perhaps provide him with the credentials for moving into the top post,' he said.
Mr Tsang also envisaged changes when Executive Council convenor Chung Sze-yuen stepped down in the middle of the year.
He stopped short of guessing who the successor would be.
